The Bureau of Customs on Wednesday seized more than P55 million worth of fake cigarettes, replicating machines and other merchandise in a raid of a warehouse in Tondo, Manila.
In Davao, the BoC confiscated some P17.8 million worth of used clothing and used dump truck from China at the Sasa Wharf and Davao International Container Terminal.
In both instances, the BoC said it seized the illegal shipment for misdeclaration and failure to secure import permit.
In Tondo, no less than Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña led the raid at a warehouse located at Antonio Rivera Street, Tondo, Manila and found fake cigarettes, cellphone accessories and chargers, DVD replicating machines, and blank DVDs.
The operation was in coordination with the local police, barangay officials, and the brand owner representatives.
BoC-Enforcement Security and Service Director Yogi Felimon Ruiz said the three DVD replicating machines are estimated to have a market value of more or less P45 million, while the fake cigarettes and other merchandise goods are estimated to be worth P10 million.
“The seized cigarettes were verified as fake versions of Marlboro, Jackpot, More, Belmont, Fortune, and Two Moon based on the examination conducted by the brand owner representatives,” Ruiz said.
Based on the initial investigation made by the ESS, the warehouse is allegedly owned by certain Sonny Kho and Tito Yao.
The warehouse owners were not on the premises during the raid except the warehouse administrator identified as Reggy Tan.
The confiscated goods will undergo seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of the Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, and other pertinent provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
“Our relentless efforts to combat the proliferation of fake products were meant to protect consumers, local manufacturers and the public at large,” Lapeña said.
Over in Davao, the confiscated shipments contained used clothes or ukay-ukay and were consigned to Zainar General Merchandising, Al-Shaeer Enterprises, Suluans General Merchandising, and Mourpling Trading.
The consignees’ import documents were declared as bedsheets, thin blankets, shoes, bags, and stuffed toys but were found to contain bales of used clothes.
“Used clothes or ukay-ukay were classified as prohibited under Republic Act No. 4653 or An Act to Safeguard the Health of the People and maintain the Dignity of the Nation by declaring it a National Policy to Prohibit the Commercial Importation of Textile articles commonly known as Used Clothing and Rags,” Lapeñna said.
Lapeña said a used dump truck consigned to Fullwon Philippines Ent. Ltd. Inc. was seized for lack of import permit and misdeclaration.
Fullwon declared the shipment as crushing machine, conveyor belt, electric generator, steel ball, wire, screening machine, and mine tractor. However, when it was inspected, apart from the declared goods, they discovered one unit used completely build up dump truck.
“The consignee violated Executive Order 877-A, series of 2010 or “The Comprehensive Motor Development Program”, and Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of the CMTA,” he said.
Lapeña appealed to the public to not patronize used clothing or ukay-ukay as these may pose health risks.
“There is really wisdom in the law prohibiting its importation. The dignity of the nation and the people must be protected and should not be undermined.”
“The Bureau of Customs will remain aggressive and vigilant in going after you who still choose to be involved in these illegal activities. Stop short-changing the government. Stop this blatant disregard for customs laws and regulations,” he added.